Tutt and Mr. Tutt (Paperback)

Although men flatter themselves with their great actions, they are not so often the result of great design as of chance.-LA ROCHEFOUCAULD. "He says he killed him, and that's all there is about it " said Tutt to Mr. Tutt. "What are you going to do with a fellow like that?" The junior partner of the celebrated firm of Tutt & Tutt, attorneys and counselors at law, thrust his hands deep into the pockets of his yellow checked breeches and, balancing himself upon the heels of his patent-leather boots, gazed in a distressed, respectfully inquiring manner at his distinguished associate. "Yes," he repeated plaintively. "He don't make any bones about it at all. 'Sure, I killed him ' says he. 'And I'd kill him again, the -- ' I prefer not to quote his exact language. I've just come from the Tombs and had quite a talk with Serafino in the counsel room, with a gum-chewing keeper sitting in the corner watching me for fear I'd slip his prisoner a saw file or a shotgun or a barrel of poison. I'm all in These murder cases drive me to drink, Mr. Tutt. I don't mind grand larceny, forgery, assault or even manslaughter-but murder gets my goat And when you have a crazy Italian for a client who says he's glad he did it and would like to do it again-please excuse me It isn't law; it's suicide " He drew out a silk handkerchief ornamented with the colors of the Allies, and wiped his forehead despairingly.